New Results on Non-Abelian Vortices - further insights into monopole, vortex and confinement

We discuss some of the latest results concerning the non-Abelian vortices. The first concerns the construction of non-Abelian BPS vortices based on general gauge groups of the form G= G' x U(1). In particular detailed results about the vortex moduli space have been obtained for G'=SO(N) or USp(2N). The second result is about the "fractional vortices", i.e., vortices of the minimum winding but having substructures in the tension (or flux) density in the transverse plane. Thirdly, we discuss briefly the monopole-vortex complex.Comment: Latex 20 page

Family-Centered Practice in the Field of Early Intervention

In Early Intervention (EI), family-centered practices are recommended and family-centered services are espoused as the main delivery method. Yet, EI service providers may not implement this approach. This literature review will examine provider and family perspectives of the delivery of family-centered services in the context of the Division for Early Childhood’s recommended practices indicators of family-centered services. Findings indicated a gap between what families and providers believed were ideal family-centered practices and what was actually being implemented in EI. Barriers such as training for providers and families and lack of appropriate resources were identified. Implications for the future are evaluation of the fidelity and methodology of family-centered services training and increased resource allocation in order to increase opportunities for teaming, co-treatment, training, and professional development for providers and families in order to enhance implementation of family-centered services

Sickness certification of workers compensation claimants by general practitioners in Victoria, 2003-2010

Objective: To examine patterns of the sickness certification of workers compensation claimants by general practitioners in Victoria, Australia, by nature of injury or illness. Design, setting and patients: Retrospective analysis of Victorian workers compensation data for all injured and ill workers with an accepted workers compensation claim between 2003 and 2010. Main outcome measures: Type (unfit for work, alternative duties, or fit for work) and duration of initial medical certificates relating to workers compensation claims that were issued by GPs, in six categories of injury and illness. Results: Of 124 424 initial medical certificates issued by GPs, 74.1% recommended that workers were unfit for work and 22.8% recommended alternative duties. Unfit-for-work certificates were issued to 94.1% of workers with mental health conditions, 81.3% of those with fractures, 79.1% of those with other traumatic injuries, 77.6% of those with back pain and strains, 68.0% of those with musculoskeletal conditions and 53.0% of those with other diseases. Alternative-duties certificates were significantly longer in duration than unfit-for-work certificates in all injury and illness categories (P<0.001) but certificates for workers with musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, back pain and strains and other traumatic injuries were of lesser duration than those for workers with fractures, mental health conditions and other diseases. Conclusion: The high proportion of medical certificates recommending complete absence from work presents major challenges in terms of return to work, labour force productivity, the viability of the compensation system, and long-term social and economic development. There is substantial variation in the type and duration of medical certificates issued by GPs. People with mental health conditions are unlikely to receive a certificate recommending alternative duties. Further research is required to understand GP certification behaviour

Free-Flight Aerodynamic-Heating Data to Mach Number 10.4 for a Modified Von Karman Nose Shape

Aerodynamic-heating data have been obtained on a modified fineness-ratio-5.0 Von Karman nose shape at free-stream Mach numbers up to 10.4 with a rocket-propelled model. Transient skin temperatures were measured at one station, 26.6 inches behind the tip of a nose 31.6 inches long. A maximum skin temperature of 1,663 deg R was measured soon after the maximum Mach number was obtained. During the periods for which experimental Stanton numbers were presented, flow parameters just outside the boundary layer at the temperature measuring station varied as follows: the local Mach number varied in the range between 0.8 and 9.0 and the local Reynolds number varied in the range between 0.8 x 10(exp 6) and 35.5 x 10(exp 6). The ratio of skin temperature to local static temperature varied between 1.0 and 3.6. The experimental Stanton numbers agreed well with Van Driest's turbulent theory while the local Reynolds number was high - that is, while the local Reynolds number varied in a range above 6.8 x 10(exp 6). For local Reynolds numbers less than 3.5 x 10(exp 6) the experimental Stanton numbers were of the magnitude predicted by Van Driest's laminar theory. Transition from turbulent to laminar flow at the temperature measuring station, as indicated by the change in the magnitude of the Stanton number, occurred as the local Reynolds number decreased from 6.8 x 10(exp 6) to 3.5 x 10(exp 6) at essentially a constant local Mach number of about 9.0

Cholecystobronchocolic Fistula: A Late Complication of Biliary Sepsis

A case of a 48 year old woman presenting with bilioptysis due to a cholecystobronchocolic fistula is reported. Bilioptysis is a rare complication of biliary fistulae, with a high mortality due to chemical pneumonitis. Bronchospasm and rapid respiratory failure may ensue if aggressive management is not adopted. The site of fistulation is established by cholangiography, preferably by the percutaneous transhepatic route. Continued biliary drainage can lead to closure of these fistulae, or allow sufficient improvement in clinical condition to allow definitive surgery to be performed electively